This post follows van der Heide's plight for the use of light in smarter and more economical ways. It argues that light should be used in more focused manners instead of the wastefulness of incandescent light bulbs. Moreover, this project presents greater harmony between the sun, the world's natural source of light, and spaces. This concept of using natural light as a tool can be further extended to photography, to using natural light to better create a harmony between the subject and its environment.
This is a really interesting post. Using a 2-litter bottle as a lightbulb without even needing electricity is quite ingenius. It allows the light source in Philippine slums to be natural and much cheeper than the traditional electric powered lights we're used to. Not only is this a great alternative for those in poverty needing to save money, this is also an incredibly eco-friendly idea. I can see them taking this whole concept a step further and introducing it into the world as an alternate light source. In our environmentally conscious world, such an idea would be widely accepted.
Grace, I see where you are coming from, however I disagree that this idea will be readily embraced by th reset of the world in this form. Although it is environmentally friendly and also an economical source of lighting, I cannot see the homes of developed countries such as Europe or the US allowing holes to be cut in their roofs in order for a plastic soda bottle to be inserted in the ceiling for light. Already in these countries things such as sun roofs exist in order to accomplish this very task. I feel that this solution is extremely innovative and is unique to the needs and environment of the Philippines. I think the same holds true for photography, one source of light may produce an amazing photo in one setting, but the same source of light may not be the best avenue when attempting to capture another image.
the medium is the message, the medium is the message, the medium is the message. these 'light' bottles are ingenious, economic recycling/repurposing devices created because the poor in the situation are living in shacks with NO windows, too close and on top of each other. great idea, but perhaps the better idea would be to solve the living conditions that create the need. the devices are ingenious, but do not justify those living conditions.
Grace, there is no possible way to harness electrical energy without any source of energy. The only thing the 2 liter bottle does is increase the efficiency of the light (it spreads the light in all directions instead of focusing it into one beam of light.). Although, I agree that it would certainly be amazing.
I actually saw a video about this about a year and a half ago. I love that this solves a very common problem in perhaps the simplest way possible. I also love that the solution really fits the area. Sure, you can come up with some extremely complicated solution that will cost a lot of money to deploy and won't be very practical or you can light people's homes (during the day at least) with these solar lights which are extremely cheap and easy to make. I also really like the fact that these lights are made from recycled materials which makes them even more environmentally friendly. These lights also demonstrate several properties of light. These include the refraction and the diffusion of the light by the water.
I agree that this ingeniously solves a very important problem (lighting in impoverished rural communities), however I think it still is somewhat of a short term solution. The idea itself however is an excellent representation of what we are doing in this class- training ourselves to look at the world through a different lens in order to see reality. This example of using soda bottles, water and bleach is taking something we see in one way and stripping of that view, converting it to become something else even more practical.
This is ingenious. Simple fixes to complex problems are the best. Although this concept doesn't seem feasible for developed nations, it seems to work wonders where it's currently being implemented. It also doesn't solve some of the major issues with the living conditions, but it definitely helps cross one issue off the list.
This post follows van der Heide's plight for the use of light in smarter and more economical ways. It argues that light should be used in more focused manners instead of the wastefulness of incandescent light bulbs. Moreover, this project presents greater harmony between the sun, the world's natural source of light, and spaces. This concept of using natural light as a tool can be further extended to photography, to using natural light to better create a harmony between the subject and its environment.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really interesting post. Using a 2-litter bottle as a lightbulb without even needing electricity is quite ingenius. It allows the light source in Philippine slums to be natural and much cheeper than the traditional electric powered lights we're used to. Not only is this a great alternative for those in poverty needing to save money, this is also an incredibly eco-friendly idea. I can see them taking this whole concept a step further and introducing it into the world as an alternate light source. In our environmentally conscious world, such an idea would be widely accepted.
ReplyDeleteGrace,
DeleteI see where you are coming from, however I disagree that this idea will be readily embraced by th reset of the world in this form. Although it is environmentally friendly and also an economical source of lighting, I cannot see the homes of developed countries such as Europe or the US allowing holes to be cut in their roofs in order for a plastic soda bottle to be inserted in the ceiling for light. Already in these countries things such as sun roofs exist in order to accomplish this very task. I feel that this solution is extremely innovative and is unique to the needs and environment of the Philippines. I think the same holds true for photography, one source of light may produce an amazing photo in one setting, but the same source of light may not be the best avenue when attempting to capture another image.
the medium is the message, the medium is the message, the medium is the message. these 'light' bottles are ingenious, economic recycling/repurposing devices created because the poor in the situation are living in shacks with NO windows, too close and on top of each other. great idea, but perhaps the better idea would be to solve the living conditions that create the need. the devices are ingenious, but do not justify those living conditions.
DeleteGrace, there is no possible way to harness electrical energy without any source of energy. The only thing the 2 liter bottle does is increase the efficiency of the light (it spreads the light in all directions instead of focusing it into one beam of light.). Although, I agree that it would certainly be amazing.
DeleteI actually saw a video about this about a year and a half ago. I love that this solves a very common problem in perhaps the simplest way possible. I also love that the solution really fits the area. Sure, you can come up with some extremely complicated solution that will cost a lot of money to deploy and won't be very practical or you can light people's homes (during the day at least) with these solar lights which are extremely cheap and easy to make. I also really like the fact that these lights are made from recycled materials which makes them even more environmentally friendly. These lights also demonstrate several properties of light. These include the refraction and the diffusion of the light by the water.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this ingeniously solves a very important problem (lighting in impoverished rural communities), however I think it still is somewhat of a short term solution. The idea itself however is an excellent representation of what we are doing in this class- training ourselves to look at the world through a different lens in order to see reality. This example of using soda bottles, water and bleach is taking something we see in one way and stripping of that view, converting it to become something else even more practical.
ReplyDeleteThis is ingenious. Simple fixes to complex problems are the best. Although this concept doesn't seem feasible for developed nations, it seems to work wonders where it's currently being implemented. It also doesn't solve some of the major issues with the living conditions, but it definitely helps cross one issue off the list.
ReplyDelete